Wow. Oct. 1 already. What happened to summer? We experienced everything from low snowpack to a mild spring and a smoking hot summer to water shortages and fires. We were worried about our soccer and baseball fields suffering from lack of water but it’s astounding how those lawns, as well as many others around the area, bounced right back as if nothing had happened. Our falls are always amazing, though, as we shift into the cooler nights but still have warm days.
One of our special events coming up is the annual Health and Wellness Fair 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Nov. 7. This will be the third time the fair has happened here, and to be honest, when Andrea, our recreation programmer, first floated the idea out for this special event, we weren’t sure how it would be received by both vendors and community. Obviously, since we are at No. 3, it has grown in popularity for both displays and attendance, plus we get great feedback each year that lets us tweak the event to attract more people. Who isn’t interested in health?
So what is it? The Health and Wellness Fair takes place at the Creston and District Community Complex and gives you the opportunity to interact with health minded groups, organizations and businesses in a trade show format.
The difference here is that exhibitors all have a common theme they follow — your health, which for me, ranks up there with favourite things like walking and breathing. It would be pretty tough to exit this event without picking up some interesting and beneficial information if, of course, you choose to engage with some of the exhibitors. I’m pretty sure no one is selling encyclopedias or vacuum cleaners at this one.
If you like to listen to guest speakers, we have a full lineup throughout the day. Some of the subjects include: “Sleep: Why are You not Sleeping?”, “Naturopathic Medicine and What it Can Do for You”, “Herbs for Better Cognitive Health and Immune Function”, “Ways to Feel Calm, Increase Confidence and Improve Relationships”, “Break that Sugar Addiction”, “Acupuncture and TCM”, “Ayurvedic Medicine” and, finally, “Your Financial Health”. Our speakers include Kim Masuch, Maya Skalinska, Peggy Ness, Jessica Shearer, Zea Friesen and Kerry Ross. Heady stuff but remember: knowledge is power.
Other cool items are a fitness challenge starting at 11 a.m., which will be a set of stations to test your strength and endurance. Each round lasts 15 minutes and is open to adults and teens with cash prizes at the finish. As well, there is a stick clinic at the Creston Curling Club from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and the opportunity to come down and try curling if you never have before.
How much to get in, you ask? Your entry fee of $3 for adults, $2 for seniors or students and $1 for children not only gets you into the Health and Wellness Fair, it gets you a wristband for the facility and all its amenities that you would get on a regular day. Now there’s an offer you can’t refuse!
Neil Ostafichuk is the recreation supervisor at the Creston and District Community Complex.